High School, Upgraded: 10 Years Later and Killing It

I had the absolute pleasure of hosting my high school class of 2015’s 10-year reunion this past weekend alongside my buddy John. Months of planning paid off, and the event went off without a hitch! It turned out to be such a fantastic, fun-filled evening—far beyond what I was expecting. And of course, I ended up hosting the whole night, microphone in hand, soaking it all in.

10 years. Wow. It feels like it flew by in two years rather than ten.

I will admit, after months of planning I was nervous. We settled on a location, narrowed ticket prices down, and collected RSVPS. I got ready for the big night with this deep-seated anxiety in my chest. Will people enjoy themselves? Will it be a big enough space? Will people be comfortable?

What will people think of me? Am I a loser? Have I grown? What do I have to show for these ten years?

I’ve grown into such a confident person that this self-doubt felt like time traveling back to 16-year-old me. The self-doubt that only high school could provide! I was lucky to have friends willing to help John and I set up for the event, which calmed my nerves beforehand. Soon people were filing in, and I took on the role of host, something I fill quite well.

“Chartay!” “Chartay partay!” Echoed all night as people filled the perfectly sized room.

Some people looked the same, others I didn’t even recognize—new hair, beards, deeper voices, a whole new presence. What we all had in common was a confidence that only adulthood brings. I was nervous to talk to a few people at first, but quickly thought, I’m 28… who cares?

Everyone was in such different stages of life—parenthood, careers, settling down somewhere new. They needed babysitters for a night off! It felt so surreal. Despite that, people were eager to catch up, share, and talk. It felt like seeing classmates in a new light—a brighter, surer one. I couldn’t help but laugh to myself at how serious we were in high school. Serious about being cool, fitting in, and sticking to the ‘roles’ we were given. For me, that role was class clown. I leaned into being funny, dumbing myself down to fit the part.

Others had their own: the jocks, the theater kids, the nerds. But at the reunion, it was so much fun to watch everyone let those roles go and simply have a conversation.

Hearing about people’s struggle with addiction, family dynamics, becoming parents, and the messiness of life was so humbling. Wow. We really are adults.

Charty Hosting the Evening!

Of course, there was still a little competitiveness in the air—you could feel it with a few people. Maybe that’s just what happens at the 10-year mark; by the 20- or 30-year reunions, I’m sure it fades. We’re still young enough to compare, but old enough to laugh about it.

People, me included, slipped back into some of their old roles—but in a way that felt lighter, balancing who we’ve grown into with the teenage mannerisms we once held.

I’m sure you’re wondering what I noticed about myself during the reunion—if I could feel the growth of the last decade. The truth is, I was proud of myself. Eighteen-year-old me would have laughed out loud at the sight of twenty-eight-year-old me holding the microphone, commanding the room without hesitation. Walking with elegance, confident in who I am, able to talk to anyone as if it’s second nature.

Eighteen-year-old me was similar… but jittery and unsure, like a firecracker waiting to go off. I’m the best parts of that version of myself, but grounded and contained now—respectful, sure of who I am, and willing to share space with others. I don’t need to be the loudest in the room to feel enough anymore. I don’t need to overcompensate for people to like me. I can simply show up, be present, and make others feel appreciated.

We wandered over to a local bar after pretending we were still in our prime. Honestly, I could’ve stayed all night—that’s how much fun it was. At one point I caught myself thinking, ‘If this is how low-pressure, excited, and authentic everyone had been in high school, maybe I wouldn’t have hated it so much.’ But they weren’t—and maybe that’s the beautiful part of life. Getting to see that growth so clearly. Watching the popular jock pick songs on the TouchTunes with the nerd, or the once-shy kid buying everyone a round of Jameson shots.

People have been asking me how the reunion was, and honestly? It was so much fun, I can’t say enough good things. It felt like the perfect nod to high school and old classmates—feeling confident in my own skin, knowing I’ve accomplished some pretty badass things, and leaving behind our roles that we played in school. I could talk to whoever I wanted, and it was just a fantastic night.

I’ve gotten so much positive feedback from classmates who attended—I guess it was a hit!

A few peers mentioned to me how they were anxious and nervous to show up but were glad that they did. It was inspiring and amazing to connect with old classmates I never thought even ‘liked’ me. It reminded me of something important: most of the harsh criticism we feel isn’t actually coming from others at all. It’s coming from within, from those old origin wounds that whisper everyone ‘hates us.’ We feel unworthy, so we decide people dislike us. But so often, we’re wrong.

What would it be like to let go of that story? To live fully, without judgement?

The best part is that it was only the 10-year reunion—a reminder that we’re still young, still evolving, and that the best parts of life are still ahead of us.

Love,

Chartay

Special thanks to John, and everyone else who helped plan! And a huge thank you to Vestal High School’s Class of 2015 for showing up and making it one of the best nights!